I was all in for this exciting fantasy version of X-men. Bring on the moody protagonist, clearly becoming the "bad guy". Bring on the sexy, intense magic scenes. ( )

4.5 stars, I loved this book! This was my first Marie Lu book and I now know why so many people love her books. She's an amazing writer. The world was so different and interesting to learn about and it was pretty fast paced. There was one part in the middle where I got bored a little bit but for the most part it keeps you turning the pages. The main character is more of a villain than a hero and I liked that. I liked seeing it from Adelina's perspective and seeing her struggle to be good and want to be good but have this dark side she couldn't help giving into at times. I liked seeing how she made that transition and became the villain. A downside to this book is that I didn't really care or connect with any of the characters aside from Adelina. By the end of it I started to care a little bit about the other characters but not very much. There were definitely some revelations that took me by surprise and I can't wait to see where this story goes next. ( )

Ohhh this is such a treat from Marie Lu! I already knew she has mad skills in the writing department but here she proves she can rock it in just about any genre. Well done, Marie! This is a fast-paced engaging read about a girl who discovers a world of magic after being marked by the plague. It's like Twilight meets Salem Witch Trials meets Harry Potter. Fun. Fast-paced. Steamy. And you like getting hit on the head with a frying pan? Brace yourself for that ending.

Read it! ( )

I adore Marie Lu's writing style. It vibes with m and I have such a great time reading her books. When I managed to get my hands on a copy of The Young Elites, I was THRILLED! I know every time I go into her books that the writing will be fast paced, fun, and keep me on my toes. I never quite know what's going to happen by the end of the book, but I do enjoy trying to guess and see if I'm right. I was ABSOLUTELY NOT with this book and Marie Lu... my writer friend...WHY DID YOU DO THAT TO ME?! Ugh. Knife into my heart. Or back. I don't know, one of those or both!

Long story short: Adelina Amouteru is our lead. She's a teenage girl who survived a deadly illness that passed through her home (and the entire nation). This wicked virus/illness/plague killed many, but left those who survived with special marks and select few with special abilities (yay for superpowers). Unfortunately, they aren't seen as being a bonus to society and instead an abomination. They call them... the malfettos. The Young Elites are the special people with these abilities who go around helping the malfettos survive. Why? Because everyone wants to kill malfettos. Weird people are weird and we don't like them so we kill them in this world. Obviously. Having special powers should be a blessing when used right, but instead just make you a horrible person who needs to die. Kind of awkward, I know.

So, Adelina was going to be sold off into a marriage (her Dad is a horrible man and treats her bad, and her Mother has sadly passed). She decides to run away and finds out she has special powers! Not so good, because she does some wickedly bad things and now everyone wants her dead. Lucky for her, The Young Elites come in and sweep her off her feet and decide to help her/use her abilities. And from there, chaos ensues!

This book is fun! It takes a bit to get into the real plot, but once you do... you're golden. There's lots of action and drama, a pinch of romance, and even more suspense. It's a great read that lets you disappear into a magical world that has a lot of similarities to our own.

Notes: The ending has a fantastic lead up but expect to want to throw the book across the room (depending on your opinions about certain people). Because.... MAN. I was not expecting the ending and I raged for a moment. But, that's a good thing! Marie Lu's ending is KILLER. It's fantastic! It shows how chaotic this universe is.

Now, I just need to get my hands on the sequel...

Five out of five stars! I love me a Marie Lu book. ( )

FROM GOODREADS: Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her. ( )